More Damage In Harvey's Arm

MARLINS NOTEBOOK

Bryan Harvey's injury was worse than feared. In addition to a torn medial collateral ligament, Dr. Lewis Yocum discovered Harvey had torn the flexor muscle in his right forearm.

Yocum performed reconstructive elbow surgery Wednesday on Harvey, in which a tendon from Harvey's ankle was transplanted into his right elbow. The torn muscle also was surgically repaired.

Harvey, who underwent the surgery in Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, Calif., was expected to spend 24 hours in the hospital before returning to his ranch in Catawba, N.C. Harvey said before the surgery that he planned to return to South Florida, where he will undergo rehabilitation.

Harvey hopes to resume pitching next spring, though for many pitchers who have had the "Tommy John" surgery, it has often taken nearly two years to regain effectiveness. And there is considerable doubt whether a power pitcher like Harvey can regain his form.

Manager Rene Lachemann said he spoke to Harvey by phone Tuesday in Anaheim Stadium, where he was visiting Lachemann's brother, Marcel, the Angels' manager. "He was in my brother's office," Lachemann said. "I told [Marcel) I'd get him for tampering."

Lach sticks with Johnson

Even before Charles Johnson broke his 0-for-19 slump with a first-pitch, sixth-inning line single to left, Lachemann said he planned to keep the rookie catcher in the lineup.

"He got off to a big start in spring training, and everybody already was giving awards to him," Lachemann said, with disdain in his voice. "This is a long season. He's gotten off to a poor start.

"He's going to play [today), even if he doesn't get any hits. I may pinch hit for him in tight games, with runners in scoring position.

"This is all part of the franchise growing up. People are tired of listening to that, but I'm sorry, it's a fact."

The crowd gave Johnson a standing ovation when he connected off Braves left-hander Tom Glavine. The Braves pitcher held onto the ball to see if anyone wanted it, but there were no takers. Johnson apparently didn't consider his first hit of '95 a worthy souvenir.

Johnson and rookie second baseman Quilvio Veras, who was batting .125 entering the game, took early hitting at the request of batting coach Jose Morales. "I'm not worried about him getting down," Morales said, "because I won't let him. He's a strong kid."

Umps return with flourish

On their first day back to work, umpires received a standing ovation from the Joe Robbie Stadium crowd as soon as they appeared on the field. The crew of Terry Tata, Eric Gregg, Gerry Davis and Mike Winters tipped their caps in appreciation as the applause grew louder. Gregg, whose girth makes him one of the game's most recognizable umps, gave a formal bow to the crowd, then spread his arms wide with a big smile.

Normalcy returned quickly, however, when plate umpire Tata was roundly booed for calling out Bobby Witt on a called third strike in the fourth.

The attendant at the umpires' room, Lizette Carvajal, presented the umpires with a cake she baked upon their arrival at JRS. The cake was inscribed: "Only the real thing."

Abbott's return delayed

Shortstop Kurt Abbott, eligible to come off the disabled list today, won't join the team before the weekend, when the Marlins will be in Montreal to play the Expos. Lachemann said he wants Abbott to have at least 20 at-bats with Triple-A Charlotte before he joins the big club. ... Left-hander Chris Hammond is expected to pitch four innings today for the Brevard County Manatees as he comes back from a strained rib muscle.